Electric Vehicles, Mobility Vehicles and Batteries
How to store and charge your electric vehicle or mobility vehicle safely.
How to keep your home safe when charging your electric vehicle or mobility vehicle
It's important when charging your electric vehicle or mobility vehicle, you do it safely to avoid the risk of a fire starting and putting your home at risk.
Please note: residents are NOT permitted to store or charge electric vehicles or mobility vehicles in communal areas as any items left there can block emergency exit routes and create a fire risk.
If you live in one of our retirement living schemes, there may be an allocated mobility vehicle storage and charging area.
Safely charging your electric vehicle or mobility vehicle
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions
- Always unplug your charger when its finished charging.
- Don’t charge electric vehicles or mobility vehicles in bedrooms or where escape routes can be blocked – for example, hallways.
- Don’t leave your battery charging unattended, when you are out or while you are asleep.
- Don’t cover chargers or battery packs when charging
- Don’t overload sockets or use inappropriate extension leads
- Don’t charge or store batteries in direct sunlight or in hot locations (above 45⁰C)
- Don’t charge batteries close to combustible materials or hazardous substances.
- If your battery can be removed from your electric vehicle or mobility vehicle and charged separately, it should be charged on a hard flat surface where heat can disperse and in an area with good ventilation.
Permission
Permission must be granted by Platform Housing before acquiring a mobility vehicle and bringing it onto Group premises. The Mobility Policy sets out conditions of use to residents who live in buildings with communal areas, such as retirement villages, retirement living schemes/community properties and blocks of flats with communal areas i.e. entrance hallways, staircases and landing areas.
Please click here to view the Mobility Policy and access the permission forms.
Insurance
Insurance is not a legal requirement for electric/mobility vehicles, but it is compulsory if the vehicle is to be used and stored outside or inside a building belonging to Platform Housing Group. Customers will need to liaise with their insurance provider and respective cover may be available under a customer’s house contents policy, which may extend to have public liability included. Insurance must provide, as a minimum, third party cover for damage to property and claims from another person/third party.
Retirement Living Residents
Customers living in our retirement properties who may use mobility scooters for daily transportation are asked to store them safely in any designated areas (or by prior agreement with Platform) and ensure that fire escapes and communal areas are kept clear for easy access and safety.
Maintaining your E-Scooter or E-Bike
- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for charging and using your product.
- Always use the manufacturer-approved battery and charger.
- If you need a replacement battery or charger for your e-bike or e-scooter go directly back to the manufacturer or retailer you bought it from to ensure it’s safe.
- Regularly inspect your product and check for damage or warning signs that your battery might be failing and becoming a fire risk.
- Don’t attempt to modify or tamper with your battery.
Fast. Fierce. Fatal - Lithium-ion Battery Fire Safety Campaign
Lithium-ion battery fires are increasing—and the impact can be Fast, Fierce & Fatal. Platform urges everyone to buy, charge, and store everyday devices safely.
There’s been a sharp rise in incidents linked to batteries found in e-bikes, e-scooters, phones, laptops, and vapes. In fact, lithium-ion battery fires have increased by 93% in the last two years, with 1,330 fires reported in 2024 alone*.
Key Safety Messages
As part of the Fast. Fierce. Fatal campaign being lead by West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS), remember to -:
- Always buy devices and chargers from trusted retailers.
- Use the correct charger and never leave batteries on charge overnight.
- Charge on a hard, flat surface, away from anything that could burn.
- Keep escape routes clear—never charge in hallways or on stairs.
- Never bin batteries; take them to proper recycling points.
Why This Matters
Lithium-ion battery fires can start suddenly, spread quickly, and release toxic gases. Unsafe charging or poor-quality products increase the risk significantly.
For more information on lithium-ion batteries and the above campaign please visit the WMFS website
*Data collected by QBE from Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to UK fire services in March 2025.